THE TRINITY MAKES THE CHURCH ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC

VATICAN CITY, JUN 14, 2000 (VIS) - "The glory of the Trinity in the life of the Church" was the theme of John Paul II's catechesis during the general audience which was held this morning in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 30,000 people.

The Pope indicated that the glory of the Trinity makes the Church "one, holy, catholic and apostolic. ... The Church is above all one" and "the highest exemplar and source of the mystery is the unity, in the Trinity of Persons, of one God, the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit."

"The Church," he recalled, "is also holy. ... The concept of 'holy' has its origins in the consecration that God accomplished in choosing His people and offering them grace."

The Holy Father affirmed that "the Church is catholic, sent to announce Christ to the whole world in the hope that all the leaders of nations gather together with the people of the God of Abraham. As Vatican Council II confirms, 'the Church on earth is by its very nature missionary since, according to the plan of the Father, it has its origin in the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit'."

"Finally, the Church is apostolic. According to Christ's mandate, the Apostles must go and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe what He commanded."

John Paul II highlighted that "the Church, one, holy, catholic and apostolic is God's people, body of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit. These three biblical images clearly indicate the trinitarian dimension of the Church."

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